Tobacco and Vapes Bill: Second Reading
415
Ayes
—
47
Noes
Passed · Government won
185 did not vote
Analysis
Commons
Commons
Parliament voted by 415 to 47 to give the Tobacco and Vapes Bill its second reading on 26 November 2024, approving the core principle of the legislation. A second reading is the first substantive parliamentary vote on a bill, and passing it means the House of Commons agreed that the bill should proceed to detailed scrutiny in committee. The margin was decisive, with nearly nine votes in favour for every one against. The bill's central measure is a so-called "age escalator" for tobacco sales. Under it, the minimum legal age for purchasing cigarettes would rise by one year, every year, so that anyone aged 15 or under on the date of the vote would never legally be able to buy tobacco. In practical terms, this creates a smokefree generation over time without immediately banning tobacco outright for existing adult smokers. The bill also introduces stricter regulation of vapes, targeting their marketing to children through flavourings, packaging and branding designed to appeal to young people. The Conservative Party was split, with 23 MPs voting in favour, 32 against, and 61 absent. Labour and its Co-operative Party allies were unanimously in favour. The Liberal Democrats allowed a free vote, producing 38 ayes and 7 noes. Reform UK's six present MPs all voted against. The bill carries notable political history, having originated under the previous Conservative government led by Rishi Sunak, which lends it a cross-party character even as some Conservatives objected to elements they argued went beyond the original proposal.
Voting Aye meant
Support creating a generational ban on tobacco sales to protect young people from addiction and the serious health harms of smoking
Voting No meant
Oppose the bill, citing concerns about personal freedom, practicality of enforcement, and the burden placed on retailers
462 voting MPs. Each dot is one vote; left-to-right by party. Grey dots in the centre are the 185 who did not vote.
Aye
No
Absent
Labour PartyWhipped Aye
290
0
72
Conservative and Unionist PartyWhipped No
23
32
61
Liberal DemocratsWhipped Aye
38
7
27
Labour and Co-operative PartyWhipped Aye
33
0
9
Independent
9
3
2
Scottish National PartyWhipped Aye
8
0
1
Reform UKWhipped No
0
6
1
Sinn Féin
0
0
7
Democratic Unionist Party
2
0
3
Green Party of England and WalesWhipped Aye
4
0
—
Plaid CymruWhipped Aye
4
0
—
Social Democratic and Labour Party
2
0
—
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
0
0
1
Speaker
0
0
1
Traditional Unionist Voice
1
0
—
Ulster Unionist Party
1
0
—
Your Party
1
0
—
Bill represents the most significant public health intervention in a generation, tackling addiction (not freedom), reducing NHS costs by £18bn+ in lost productivity, and protecting children from nicotine targeting by vape industry.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (5,151 words) →
Acknowledges Bill's good intentions and supports vaping measures, but opposes removal of 'risk condition' in clause 136 (allowing Secretary of State unchecked power to expand smokefree areas), licensing scheme impacts on small retailers, and lack of detail on future regulations.Conservative · Voted no_vote_recorded · Read full speech (3,103 words) →
Supports vaping measures fully; backs smoking ban after reconsidering due to health inequality arguments and addiction's impact on personal choice, but retains concerns about enforcement practicality, civil liberties (ID requirements), black market risks, and wants parliamentary oversight of outdoor expansion.Liberal Democrats · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,951 words) →
Strong supporter; highlights smoking as driver of health inequality (26% of deaths in north-east), calls for 'polluter pays' levy (£700m annually) to fund cessation services, and urges protection from tobacco industry influence via WHO framework convention compliance.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,278 words) →
Vaping advocate; supports Bill but warns over-regulation risks undermining vaping as cessation tool for 6m current smokers; proposes point-of-use age verification technology as alternative to flavor bans affecting 87% of adult vapers.Labour · Voted aye · Read full speech (1,232 words) →
Supports Bill as necessary 'final stepping stone' after education/taxation failed; defends one-nation conservatism; ensures rural hospitality excluded from consultation; argues addiction removes freedom (rebutting libertarian critique); notes passive smoking harms society, not just individuals.Conservative · Voted aye · Read full speech (2,669 words) →
Opposes Bill from libertarian perspective; argues freedom with responsibility and education better than bans; cites South Africa's 95% underground trade when tobacco banned in COVID; warns local retailers in Collier Row will lose business.Conservative · Voted no · Read full speech (283 words) →
Supports cross-party approach but questions rationale for age escalator over flat-age ban (e.g., age 25) to avoid repeated ID checks; concerns about practical enforcement.SNP/Cross-party · Voted aye · Read full speech (192 words) →
Sources
Division dataUK Parliament Votes API
DebateHansard · Commons
Stance analysisAI analysis · Claude 4.x
LicenceOpen Parliament Licence v3.0